WangXian Forever Book 8

Chapter 85 Reunion

The dragons came down and transformed back into their human bodies. They were surrounded by well wishers and family, patting them on their backs and welcoming them home.

And then the crowd parted and Uncle Qiren came forward, tears in his eyes which were hastily blinked back.

Wei Ying threw himself into his arms while Lan Zhan bowed respectfully, but Uncle Qiren was not having any of that. Once he had hugged his nephew's husband properly, he wrapped his strong arms around Lan Zhan too.

Uncle Qiren was not used to smiling...but his eyes did what his mouth could not, silently showing them how grateful he was that they had returned.

"Shifu...we will not be able to stay for long right now...there is still someone who is helping us...we should attend to urgent matters." Lan Zhan explained, delicately stepping back after glancing at Wei Ying.

Wei Ying nodded back, solemnly.

"Hui Gai is still out there...with those two demons. I'm sorry I was not able to let you all know what the Sleeping Sickness Demon had wanted...before..." Wei Ying sheepishly waved a hand at his and Lan Zhan’s bodies.

"Is that what occurred? In the cocoon?" Uncle Qiren stroked his whiskers.

He didn't want them to go like this...but at the same time, he was well aware that duty came first before what cultivators wanted to do. Need came before want, every single time; that was the cultivation life. But a little part of him thought and hoped that by asking them these questions, he might be able to delay their leaving at least a little bit, and assuage that hole in his heart that appeared whenever any family members were absent.

"Yes...that's why I was sleeping so much and all of that..." He waved a hand at the past symptoms that had worried them all before, including himself. "You know my love....I was thinking...how some types of reptiles, they moult? And what is a dragon if not a reptile...sort of, just a bigger creature, right? So it stands to reason that they would share some traits of their kinsmen?"

"Mn. Wei Ying is correct." Lan Zhan thought back to some of the past night hunts.

There were the odd examples of these dried skins lying around on the forest floor when snakes had used the roughness of the ground to help them shed their skin. He supposed it allowed for growth and renewed strength...which was also true for Wei Ying...and himself.

"I feel stronger." He admitted, with a red tinge to his beautiful ears.

Of course, Wei Ying noticed.

He beamed and bounced back next to him, a teasing glint of mischief in those lovely starlight eyes.

"What, even more stronger than normal? That famous Lan arm strength is formidable to begin with anyway...but...however shall I cope now?" He grinned even more. "There shall be no way to get away from my husband now..." He sighed dramatically while Lan Zhan’s ears flared even brighter.

"Wei Ying!" He warned.

Mostly because Uncle Qiren was right there.

Wei Ying simply giggled and linked their arms.

"So if my theories are right, then somewhere down the line, we changed within that cocoon. Wen Ning said that Hui Gai mentioned that black box...the one the Stargazer gave us as a gift. Remember you took that out of our pouch, my love?"

"There were insects...caterpillars..." XiChen spoke up, shivering at the memory.

Jiang Cheng's hand tightened around his waist.

"Don't you like insects, Huan?"

XiChen made a face. It quickly cleared once he glanced at their Uncle.

"I dislike anything with more legs than myself." He cleared his throat quietly. "Except for horses." He mumbled under his breath.

Jiang Cheng just smiled indulgently.

"Did those caterpillars come out from the box then?" Wei Ying’s silver eyes were round with curiosity.

Lan Zhan wanted to kiss him so badly...but they were surrounded by the clan. He contented himself by clutching their hands together. It was nowhere near close to what he wanted to do to his husband though.

Wei Ying had been thinking about them and their transformation...until a single glance at Lan Zhan made his mouth go completely dry. He recognised that look.

Lan Zhan had a soft look upon his face reserved only for Wei Ying...one that was filled with awe and love and a host of other things, all that never failed to make Wei Ying’s heart melt with tenderness...but he wasn't looking at him that way right now.

No...this was ...almost predatory.

The hunger in those golden eyes was what Wei Ying imagined a bunny would see right before it died...and he sympathised with that poor helpless animal because of their similarities...this toe curling look was making him calculate if they had a few moments where they could escape to the Jingshi before leaving again...

After all, it would help if they could focus on the job at hand rather than the opposite....

Lan Zhan might even agree, judging by his face...

Wei Ying loved that about him.

Nobody else could tell what Lan Zhan was thinking...with the exception of his brother...but Wei Ying thought he was slowly becoming better than even his XiChen-Ge at detecting what Lan Zhan was feeling at any given time.

He grinned mischievously back, loving this game where every single nuance of their expressions was a move on a board in a game of Goh.

Right now, he had unintentionally issued a challenge.

Lan Zhan’s golden gaze burned in response.

Wei Ying was about to tell him his brilliant idea, when there was flash of light right next to them.

Twelve forms appeared, bathed in a Celestial white light, blazing with a glorious aura. They were so bright, everyone had to shield their eyes from the heavenly glow.

As it began to fade, a familiar voice rang out from their midst.

"Well, it's about time!"